 Guilt and character flaws - I think I understand why there is such an outcry amongst the Australian people regarding the deception by John Howard, Peter Reith et al. It's guilt.
Many of us were steamrollered into supporting a refugee policy that prevents asylum seekers from landing on our soils and provides mandatory detention if any should be "lucky" enough to make it here. There was such a fast moving debate peppered with sensational titbits like
"they throw their children into the sea" and
"they pay their way here" and
"many are wealthy" and
"they could be terrorists" and finally
"they sew the lips of their children shut"
- that it was almost impossible to not be swept along.
I found myself swept along.
But now I am angry. Angry at Howard and his thugs for lying to me. I'm angry at myself for putting aside strongly held convictions. I'm angry that I allowed myself to be carried by the mob.
At the heart of things, these are all character issues. Three quotes come to mind:
The best index to a person's character is
(a) how he treats people who can't do him any good, and
(b) how he treats people who can't fight back.
- Abigail Van Buren
I care not what others think of what I do,
but I care very much about what I think of what I do.
That is character!
- Theodore Roosevelt
When wealth is lost, nothing is lost;
When health is lost, something is lost;
When character is lost, all is lost.
- Anonymous
There are those who are thumping lectern on both sides of this debate. Me - I'm sorry. Sorry for the weakness in character I so easily displayed and sorry that I set aside my compassion and my humanity. Forgive me Father for I have sinned.
8:39:44 AM 
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